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Apertura 2016 Quarterfinals Preview: Saturday’s Games

Tigres UANL (3) vs Pumas UNAM (6) – 8:00 PM – Univision DeportesFirst leg: Pumas 2-2 Tigres
Wednesday night’s result gives Tigres UANL the slight advantage, as they have two away goals in their favor, but the draw still leaves everything to play for as this game will be winner-takes-all. Tigres can also advance with a 0-0, 1-1, or 2-2 draw, while a draw with three or more goals would send Pumas on to the semifinals.

Tigres had the worst home record of the playoff teams this season, and they are currently winless in four in El Volcán. However, they were also tied for the best defensive record in the league and they would advance with a shutout here.

As for Pumas, they need to score to move on. They have the worst road record of the playoff teams, though, with just two wins in their nine away games. However, those two wins came in their two most recent away games, and they were comprehensive ones, with Pumas outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 7-1.

Tijuana (1) vs León (8) – 10:00 PM – Azteca AmericaFirst leg: León 3-0 Tijuana
Wednesday’s result put Tijuana in a big hole, and the Xolos need to win this game by at least three goals to advance. Should León score, Tijuana will need to win by four due to the away goals tiebreaker. León has a foot in the semifinals already as they will advance with a win or draw, as well as a one- or two- goal loss.

However, Tijuana was virtually unstoppable at home this season, winning seven of their eight games in the Estadio Caliente and outscoring opponents by a combined 14-2. The Xolos need to score early and often in this one and they will look to golden boot winner Dayro Moreno to help them avoid becoming another victim of the “curse of the superlíder“.

As for León, they are unbeaten on the road in their last five and will be confident of protecting their aggregate lead here. They also scored nearly as many goals on the road as at home this season, and even one goal in this one would essentially wrap up the series. However, Tijuana is a very dangerous team at home and León will not want to be overconfidant. There have been more drastic comebacks in the Liga MX Liguilla before.